BACKGROUND:Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is caused by nematode parasites of the hookworm family of Ancylostomatidae. Ancylostomiasis is a zoonosis found in cats and dogs, and humans are an accidental host. This report presents a case of CLM in an 8-y...

Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Patient with SARS-Cov-2 Pneumonia in an Intensive Care Unit in Guayaquil, Ecuador: A Case Report - Article abstract #936498

Background: Microsporidia, particularly E. bieneusi and E. intestinalis, are emerging opportunistic pathogens that pose significant health risks to immunocompromised individuals, especially people living with HIV (PLHIV). Despite the global recognition of microsporidia’s impact, there has been limited research on their prevalence and associated risk factors in Ecuador. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and identify risk factors associated with microsporidia infections among PLHIV with diarrhea in Ecuador. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the José Daniel Rodríguez Infectious Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador, between April 2021 and May 2022. A total of 85 PLHIV with diarrhea were included in the analysis. Fecal samples were tested for microsporidia using fast-hot Gram chromotrope staining, immunofluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Logistic regression was performed to assess the association between demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors and microsporidia infection. Results: The prevalence of microsporidia infections among the study population was 18.8%. Logistic regression analysis identified significant associations with age ≥ 60 years (OR = 19.169, p = 0.036), female sex (OR = 10.491, p = 0.028), and non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (OR = 8.466, p = 0.077). Marginally significant associations were observed for substance use (OR = 0.262, p = 0.094) and high/very high HIV viral load (≥10,000 copies/mL, OR = 0.457, p = 0.094). CD4 count and marital status showed descriptive trends but were not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study highlights the burden of microsporidia infections among PLHIV in Ecuador and underscores the need for targeted public health interventions. Strategies should prioritize older individuals, females, and those with poor ART adherence to reduce infection risk. Future research is needed to explore additional risk factors and refine precision medicine approaches for this population.

Shrimp aquaculture is constrained by opportunistic bacterial pathogens, particularly Vibrio parahaemolyticus, whose proliferation in hatchery systems is shaped by microbial community structure. We evaluated the antagonistic activity and microbiome effects of two native Bacillus-based probiotic consortia (CN5, RS3) applied alone or combined (MIX) in shrimp larval culture water over 30 days, relative to a no-probiotic control. Treatments were assessed using standardized in vitro inhibition assays, 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4) amplicon sequencing, functional inference, and integrative multivariate and structural modeling. All probiotic treatments showed consistently high antagonistic activity against V. parahaemolyticus, whereas the control showed no inhibition. Amplicon profiling indicated treatment-associated microbiome restructuring, with increased Bacillus dominance and reduced relative abundance of Vibrio spp. under probiotic conditions. Multivariate analyses separated probiotic and control groups, and PLS-SEM identified Bacillus dominance as a central driver of antagonistic activity mediated by inferred bioactive functional potential, while water-quality variables had limited direct effects. Probiotics were administered directly to the culture water once daily after routine water exchange to 1 × 10⁶ CFU mL⁻¹ (CN5 or RS3); MIX was applied 1:1 (v/v) at the same total dose.

Seed germination and early root growth are decisive for crop establishment, yet responses to ionic environments can be strongly genotype-dependent. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing an agar-based in vitro system with a commercial NPK fertilizer on the germination dynamics and early seedling traits of Raphanus sativus L. Seeds were tested in two solid media: A (1.3% agar, no fertilizer) and AF (1.3% agar supplemented with 0.45 g of granular NPK fertilizer (15–30–15) per 200 mL medium), using a completely randomized 3 × 2 factorial design. Germination percentage and synchrony are key constituents of seedlot evaluation because they jointly capture both viability and the temporal coordination of emergence. However, final germination percentage alone does not reflect the timing and uniformity of germination, which can be critical for predicting establishment and subsequent performance. Therefore, indices such as mean germination time (MGT), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), and interval germination rates are frequently employed to describe germination dynamics. In addition to germination dynamics, early seedling morphometry (e.g., root and hypocotyl traits) can provide complementary information on early vigor and stress sensitivity under contrasting media or environmental conditions. Root elongation was significantly reduced by fertilization in ASD and GE, whereas AS exhibited consistently shorter roots with no significant response. PCA summarized 86.3% of the total variance in the first two components, separating treatments along a vigour/architecture axis and a germination capacity axis (%G), and hierarchical clustering identified five response groups. Overall, a low-cost agar + fertilizer system effectively discriminated genotype-specific sensitivity to an ionic environment during early establishment, highlighting the need to consider variety-dependent thresholds when using commercial fertilizers for in vitro screening.

Seed germination and early root growth are decisive for crop establishment, yet responses to ionic environments can be strongly genotype-dependent. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing an agar-based in vitro system with a commercial NPK fertilizer on the germination dynamics and early morphometry of Raphanus sativus L. Three commercial varieties were tested (Agrosad, AS; Agrícola Santo Domingo, ASD; Garden Elite, GE) under two media: 1.5% agar without fertilizer (A) and 1.5% agar + NPK fertilizer at 3 g/L (AF), using a completely randomized 3×2 factorial design. Germination was recorded at 24, 48, and 72 h to compute final germination (%G), mean germination time (MGT), germination speed index (IVG), and coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG); root length was measured at 72 h. MANOVA (Pillai’s trace) indicated significant effects of Variety, Fertilization, and their interaction, confirming that fertilizer responses depended on genotype. While AS and GE maintained high %G (>88%) under AF, fertilization generally delayed germination (higher MGT) and reduced vigor (lower IVG). ASD showed the strongest inhibition, with %G dropping from 88.89% (A) to 25.93% (AF) and the lowest IVG (1.23). Root elongation was significantly reduced by fertilization in ASD and GE, whereas AS exhibited consistently shorter roots with no significant response. PCA summarized 86.36% of the total variance in the first two components, separating treatments along a vigour/architecture axis (IVG and root length positive; MGT negative) and a germination capacity axis (%G), and hierarchical clustering identified five response groups. Overall, a low-cost agar + fertilizer system effectively discriminated genotype-specific sensitivity to an ionic environment during early establishment, highlighting the need to consider variety-dependent thresholds when using commercial fertilizers for in vitro screening.